I 



to the A7iimadversions of Mr, Davis, 401 



promised. No. xvii. appeared on the 15th of August, and 

 No. xviii. on the 1st of September, all complete; whereby a 

 clear month was gained, exclusively of the additional quantity 

 of matter produced within that period (in No. xv.), which, 

 according to the original proposals, would have been eighteen 

 sheets only, whereas no less than twenty-seven sheets and a 

 half had been then published, and which, had the original 

 plan of the work been adhered to, would have occupied as 

 many numbers ; the twenty-seventh of which would not have 

 been published until the 1st of July, 1829. The other pledge, 

 " to complete the work in 120 numbers," was given, according 

 to Mr, Davis, in consequence of the delay above referred to. 

 This assertion Mr. Davis contradicts, himself, in the following 

 paragraph, from my words; which clearly show that the 120 

 numbers alluded to on June 30. 1828, were in addition to 

 the fifteen then published (making 135, as there stated) : there 

 was consequently no alteration, instead of a third, as falsely 

 assumed. 



4. " Owing to these irregularities, the second volumes were not com- 

 pleted until the 1st of July, 1829, instead of the 1st of May." 



See the first observation in regard to this succeeding mis- 

 statement, to which, as showing the wonted injustice of the 

 writer, it may be added that the volumes were completed and 

 published on the 15th of June, and a copy presented to the 

 Linnean Society on the 16th. It is, therefore, evident that 

 Mr. Davis finds it inconvenient for his arguments to adhere 

 correctly to dates, &c. 



5. " On the wrapper of No. xxviii. [it should have been xxvii.], which 

 appeared on that day (July 1. 1829, see above), a farther proposal was 

 announced : it was this — to reduce the coloured figures, and increase 

 the letterpress ; a promise was given that each successive number should 

 contain alternately a plate with six figures, and thirty-two pages of letter- 

 press, and a plate with three figures and sixty-four pages : the advantage 

 to be derived being the completion of the work in 87 numbers instead of 

 135, and the cessation of the author's labours in five years; and the cost, 

 at least, two thirds less than originally proposed." 



To this is attached the following note : — 



" The fallacy of all this would admit of exposure. [Why so considerate 

 as not to proceed with the exposures ?] Four years have now been con- 

 sumed, and the author has described less than 2500 species : at the same 

 rate of proceeding, sixteen years will be required to describe 10,000." 



These sentences are replete with misstatements and false 

 assumptions. On the 15th of June I proposed 



" to reduce the number of coloured figures, and to increase the quantity 

 of letterpress : each number (price 5s., as at present) [see hereafter] to 

 contain alternately six figures with 32 pages of letterpress, and three 



